QI 145 Reducing Length of Wait for Assessment For Children's Speech and Language Therapy

Abstract

Aim: To reduce length of wait to achieve 92% of children being assessed within 18 weeks of referral by June 2024 This project was carried out to address the waiting time for initial assessment in Children’s SLT. Prior to May 2021 the 18 week RTT target (92%) was achieved, but due to a COVID backlog, reduced capacity and increased referrals, children were waiting considerably longer from May 2021, with a low point of 41% in June 2023. A number of change ideas were tested but most had little impact on the waiting times. Therefore additional investment was supported by CWPT executives for a Patient Flow Coordinator to assist with addressing waits for Children’s SLT. The target has been temporarily amended from 92% to 80%, to have the least impact on the waiting times for follow ups and intervention (balancing RTT:ATT). Tools Used: Process Mapping; Driver Diagram; Theoretical Capacity; PDSA. Project Impact: 89% of children are seen within 18 weeks of referral.